Hi I really like the vtr and I was considering getting a new one but after reflection i am thinking of getting a second hand bike not to expensive for my first bike. There is one on sale in my town and I was wondering what you guys think of that model. If there is no known issues, any advise. I am new in town so i dont know any other riders yet and will be getting my licence next week. so i cant go for a test drive yet. The sale is an auction.
Honda VTR250 1997 | Trade Me
link to the info i found online about that bike 39zak: HONDA VTR 1998 | CarJam

thanks for the advise

Latty

 

Those look and sound (with a pipe) awesome. Never understood why they don't sell them here in the states.

 

Greetings - Can't see a problem with the ickle VTR, and should serve well for learning the ropes on. Do you have to do any pre-ride fundamental tuition to gain your licence?

A lot of the mechanics covered here relate to the Firestorm.Superhawk so not immediately applicable to the quarter litre your looking at, but I'm sure you've searched for road tests. Hopefully you'll confidently graduate to an intermediate bigger middle weight, before landing a full Storm sized beasty!

Remembering back to starting myself on a Honda 125 in the UK many moons ago , I spent almost as much on riding gear, helmet, jacket boots & gloves, as on the bike itself. And along the way equipment to cope with the different weather extremes... That principle applies to buying good quality tools for basic servicing and learning how to do as much DIY from older hands / the service manual, which saves money which can be put towards filling the tank and importantly racking up the miles riding the thing.

Hopefully this'll help you on your way ... http://www.timdoyle.net.au/pdfs/VTR2...hop_Manual.pdf

This looks right up your street http://commutervtr.blogspot.co.uk/p/resources.html

 

Thanks for the reply. my plan is to keep it couple of years before getting my full license. i feel a lot more confident in buying it.
cheers

 

If it is going to be your first motorcycle, I'd get a used 90-07 Ninja 250 w/lower mileage, and priced below the VTR current bid.

Your 1st moto, likelyhood of accidently dropping it is high, might as well get something that you can find replacement parts easily.

Besides, Ninja 250 has 6-speed.. VTR has 5-speed?

 

Id say the only fault/downfall to getting a VTR250 is parts availability and support. I think they were only brought to the US for two years or so in the late 80's, so if you need a factory part replacement they might be hard to come by.

Personally I think a 250 is out grown too easily and will leave you wishing you bought a bigger bike very soon. Unless this is your absolute FIRST two wheeled motorized vehicle.

For example, my GF got her first bike this year, a 2004 EX500 Ninja for $2200. She is 5'4" and 110lbs. I put some longer dogbones on to lower it a tad. She's been doing just fine with it and is having a blast. Although she has dropped it in deep gravel twice.

I think 500cc is good for someone with some experience riding anything. An EX500, or GS500 is a great starter bike.

 

Sorry I didn't click the link first to see it was a NEWER VTR250 you are looking at....that may be an entirely different beast than the old style. Might have enough guts to keep you happy for a season or two.